During a quick trip to Kentucky last week for Jacqueline and Liam to visit with family one last time before they return to Italy this month, I stopped at a Dollar store to pick up something. Inside I was surprised by the amount of Christmas decorations already on the shelves for sale (pictures below). It was only Sept 30!

In our fast paced world it seems that we’re always looking ahead…to the next event…the next whatever. We do this so much that we sometimes struggle to enjoy the present moment. I think this tendency robs us in two ways.

One, we may miss the beauty of what is right is front of us. That beauty can be in the in form of a relationship we should enjoy, an opportunity to be a blessing to someone, an experience we might not have again, or an unexpected gift God is giving us.

Two, we don’t know how to be quiet and alone with God. Jesus did! He often withdrew from crowds and activity to pray, reflect, and be with the Father. We say we want to do this, but we don’t do it. I believe many of us are uncomfortable with the quiet – with prayer and being truly alone with God. We’re too used to noise…to doing stuff. We’ve forgotten how to be with God.

Christmas celebrates Immanuel – “God with us.” Maybe we who call ourselves followers of Jesus would celebrate this wonderful holiday more fully is we spent less time looking at what is on the store shelves and more time alone with the Savior. It is never too early to do that!

Pastor Steve Hogg